Sacred Mushroom of Visions Teonanacatl A Sourcebook on the Psilocybin Mushroom

VISIONARY PLANTS / ENTHEOGENS

“A compilation of scientific information, historical lore, and experiential reports about the magical psilocybe mushrooms. . . . It is sure to be treasured for years to come.”
ANDREW WEIL, M.D., author of The Natural Mind: A New Way of Looking at Drugs and the Higher Consciousness and Spontaneous Healing

“An outstanding comprehensive gathering of vital information from the psychedelic world.”
MYRON STOLAROFF, author of The Secret Chiefand From Thanatos to Eros

Teonanácatlwas the name given to the visionary mushrooms used in ancient Meso­american shamanic ceremonies, mushrooms that contain psilocybin, the psychoactive agent identified by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, the discoverer of LSD. The rediscovery of these visionary mushrooms by the Mazatec healer Maria Sabina and ­mycologist R. Gordon Wasson ignited a worldwide mushroom culture that inspired the consciousness revolution of the 1960s.

This book describes in vivid detail the consciousness-expanding experiences of psychoactive mushroom users--from artists to psychologists--and the healing visionary inspiration they received. It provides firsthand accounts of studies performed in the controversial Harvard Psilocybin Project, including the Concord Prison study and the Good Friday study. It describes how the use of the psilocybe mushroom spread from the mountains of Mexico into North America, Asia, and Europe by seekers of ­consciousness-­expanding experiences. It also details how psilocybin has been used since the 1960s in psychotherapy, prisoner rehabilitation, the enhancement of creativity, and the induction of mystical experiences and is being studied as a treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In this book, over thirty contributors share their expertise on the chemical, biological, cultural, psychological, and experiential dimensions of psilocybin mushrooms.

RALPH METZNER, PH.D., who studied psychology and psycho­pharmacology at Harvard University, was part of the Psilocybin ­Research Project with Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert (later Ram Dass). He is the author of Green Psychologyand coauthor of The ­Psychedelic Experience. He lives in Sonoma, California

"An outstanding comprehensive gathering of vital information from the psychedelic world." Myron Stolaroff, author of The Secret Chief and From Thanatos to Eros

"A compilation of scientific information, historical lore, and experiential reports about the magical psilocybe mushrooms....It is sure to be treasured for years to come." Andrew Weil, M.D., author of The Natural Mind: A New Way of Looking at Drugs and the Higher Consciousness and Spontaneous Healing

Teonanácatl was the name given to the visionary mushrooms used in ancient Mesoamerican shamanic ceremonies, mushrooms that contain psilocybin, the psychoactive agent identified by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, the discoverer of LSD. The rediscovery of these visionary mushrooms by the Mazatec healer Maria Sabina and mycologist R. Gordon Wasson ignited a worldwide mushroom culture that inspired the consciousness revolution of the 1960s.

This book describes in vivid detail the consciousness-expanding experiences of psychoactive mushroom users — from artists to psychologists — and the healing visionary inspiration they received. It provides firsthand accounts of studies performed in the controversial Harvard Psilocybin Project, including the Concord Prison study and the Good Friday study. It describes how the use of the psilocybe mushroom spread from the mountains of Mexico into North America, Asia, and Europe by seekers of consciousness-expanding experiences. It also details how psilocybin has been used since the 1960s in psychotherapy, prisoner rehabilitation, the enhancement of creativity, and the induction of mystical experiences and is being studied as a treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Over 30 contributors share their expertise on the chemical, biological, cultural, psychological, and experiential dimensions of psilocybin mushrooms

• Describes in vivid detail the consciousness-expanding experiences of psychoactive mushroom users

• Provides firsthand accounts of the controversial Harvard Psilocybin Project, including the Concord Prison and Good Friday studies

Teonanᣡtl was the name given to the visionary mushrooms used in ancient Mesoamerican shamanic ceremonies, mushrooms that contain psilocybin, the psychoactive agent identified by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, the discoverer of LSD. The rediscovery of these visionary mushrooms by the Mazatec healer Maria Sabina and mycologist R. Gordon Wasson ignited a worldwide mushroom culture that inspired the consciousness revolution of the 1960s.

This book describes in vivid detail the consciousness-expanding experiences of psychoactive mushroom users--from artists to psychologists--and the healing visionary inspiration they received. It provides firsthand accounts of studies performed in the controversial Harvard Psilocybin Project, including the Concord Prison study and the Good Friday study. It describes how the use of the psilocybe mushroom spread from the mountains of Mexico into North America, Asia, and Europe by seekers of consciousness-expanding experiences. It also details how psilocybin has been used since the 1960s in psychotherapy, prisoner rehabilitation, the enhancement of creativity, and the induction of mystical experiences and is being studied as a treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Ralph Metzner, Ph.D., helped found the Harvard Psilocybin Project in 1960 and is now a psychotherapist and professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. He is the author of many books, including andlt;Iandgt;The Psychedelic Experienceandlt;/Iandgt; (with Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert), andlt;Iandgt;Maps of Consciousnessandlt;/Iandgt;, andlt;Iandgt;Opening to Inner Lightandlt;/Iandgt;, and andlt;Iandgt;The Well of Remembranceandlt;/Iandgt;. He lives in Sonoma, California.

andlt;Bandgt;Introduction: Visionary Mushrooms of the Americasandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Ralph Metzner, Ph.D. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;1. Ethnomycology and Distribution of the Psilocybian Mushroomsandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; John W. Allen and James Arthur andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;2. Global Ecologies, World Distribution, and Relative Potency of Psilocybin Mushroomsandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Paul Stamets andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;3. The and#8220;Wondrous Mushroomand#8221; Legacy of R. Gordon Wassonandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Thomas Riedlinger andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;4. Biochemistry and Neuropharmacology of Psilocybin Mushroomsandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; David E. Presti, Ph.D., and David E. Nichols, Ph.D. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;5. A History of the Use of Psilocybin in Psychotherapyandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Torsten Passie, M.D. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;6. Prisoner Behavior Change and Experimental Mysticism: Two Classic Studies from the Harvard Psilocybin Projectandlt;/Bandgt;and#160;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Diane Conn Darling, Rick Doblin, and Ralph Metzner andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;7. A Note on Current Psilocybin Research Projectsandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Rick Doblin, Ph.D. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;8. The Initiation of the and#8220;High Priestand#8221;andlt;/Bandgt;and#160;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Timothy Leary andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;9. Initial Experiences from the Harvard Psilocybin Projectandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Ralph Metzner andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Experiential Teachings of the Mushroom Spiritsandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;The Mushroom Beings Would Help Us Return to Our True Natureandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Leila Castle andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;The Land of Eternal Waiting--Report of a Mushroom Experience with Maria Sabinaandlt;/Bandgt;and#160;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Frederick Swain andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;A Mazatec Indian Curanderoand#8217;s Healing Practice Using Psychoactive Mushroomsandlt;/Bandgt;and#160;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Bret Blosser andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;I Was Awed by the Mysterious Precision and Generosity of the Mushroom Spiritsandlt;BRandgt;andlt;/Bandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Raoul Adamson andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;I Was Being Told to Paint with the Blood of the Heartandlt;/Bandgt;and#160;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Kate S. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;I Was Having a Conversation with the Sunandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Evan Psilo andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Shadow, Be My Friendandlt;/Bandgt;and#160;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Ganesha andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Where Ancient Spirits Dwell and the Air Hums with Magic and Mysteryandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Cat L. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;My Heart Was the Doorway to Greater Vision and Awarenessandlt;BRandgt;andlt;/Bandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Abraham L. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;It Was the Divine Play of Hide and Seekandlt;/Bandgt;and#160;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Jason Serle andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;The Power of the Heart in the Face of Darknessandlt;/Bandgt;and#160;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Mindfire andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Encounter and Metamorphosis with the Sirenianandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Leopold andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;My Role, However Humble, Was Necessary and Cosmically Inspiredandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Phil O. Cybe andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;I Felt the Vitality of What It Was Like to Be Primitiveandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Thirdpalissy andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;I Saw My Entire Worldview and Value System Realignandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; David S. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Pondering the Separation between What I Experience and What Actually Isandlt;BRandgt;andlt;/Bandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Mark Bryan andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;I Remember What It Was Like before I Had This Faceandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Jack Silver andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;We Are All Actors and Directors in a Giant Cosmic Dramaandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Mark A. Schroll, Ph.D. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;The Little Beings Tell Me That Laughing Is Also Holyandlt;/Bandgt;and#160;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Karin Riese andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Mushroom Magic in the Lightning Fieldandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Martin Goodman andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Biographical Informationandlt;/Bandgt;